Plant extracts popular in poultry diets

Since the Jan 2006 EU ban on antibiotic growth promoters (AGPs) in animal
feeds, the use of plant extracts and essential oils ('extracts') as
AGP-alternatives has risen.

The use of these plant extracts and essenial oild has risen from an EU
average of 55% in 2005 to 70% in poultry feeds. Outside the EU, the
corresponding usage now is 61% in poultry.

The figures come from a survey of 94 feed manufacturers in 13 countries,
seven in the EU and six non-EU, carried out by the specialist ingredients
manufacturer Pancosma. It found 76% of participants said they believed extracts
would become more important in the future.

Broiler diets

In broiler feeds, extracts outrank all other AGP-replacers, while in other
poultry feeds they are a close second to organic acids. Of all manufacturers
using extracts in poultry feeds, 92% use them for broilers, 42% layers, 32%
turkeys and 30% for breeders.